Iran to reopen embassies in Tehran, Riyadh

 Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said Iran would be reopening the Iranian and Saudi Arabian embassies in Riyadh and Tehran.

Amir-Abdollahian said this at a meeting with the visiting Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, in Tehran.

According to him, Iran is seeking to promote the region’s interests.

“We appreciate the Iraqi government for its efforts to encourage dialogue among regional countries and its constructive role in the normalization talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia as well as other Middle East countries,” he said.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran maintained that the solution to regional problems was within the region.

He added that Iran backs the continuation of the ceasefire in Yemen, highlighting the necessity of lifting the siege on the Arab state.

He noted that given the commonalities between Iran and Egypt, improving relations between Tehran and Cairo would be in the interest of the region and the Muslim world.

The Iraqi prime minister underlined Iran’s important position and role in regional developments, saying his country is serious about developing ties with Iran.

He assured his host that Iraq would continue its efforts to encourage dialogue and cooperation among regional states.

Al-Kadhimi arrived in Tehran early Sunday for high-level talks with senior Iranian officials, following his trip to Saudi Arabia, where he was welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom executed a Shiite cleric.

To improve bilateral relations and ease regional tension, Baghdad hosted four rounds of direct talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia last year and a fifth-round in April this year.